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Principal Properties
The two principal properties required from a rock to be a viable
reservoir rock are porosity and permeability.
Porosity is the capability of a rock to hold fluids in pores. It is
expressed as a volume percent of the total rock and can range from
very low porosities (a few %) to very high (over 40% in some
chalks). Pores can be of many types, particularly in carbonate rocks.
Permeability is the capability of a rock to transmit a fluid. It
depends crucially on the connections between the pores. Darcys
law establishes the basic relationship between pressure, flow rate
and permeability.
Controls on Permeability
Permeability has in fact the dimension of an area. One can
visualize this as that part of the pore system in a rock that is
available for fluid flow. This is in general the narrowest restriction,
i.e. the transitions between pores, also called the pore throats.
We therefore have to look at the pore system of rocks, and how it
develops with time.
Compaction
Compaction is particularly strong in
rocks with lower grain fractions (the
amount that grains constitute of the
total solid volume, shown here in
fractions of unity, with the rest being
fine-grained matrix minerals).
Clays and other matrix minerals move
under pressure into the pore spaces.
The softer grains in greywackes
crumble and dislocate to clog the
pores.
Cementation additionally leads to
porosity reduction.
Source: North, F.K. (1985) Petroleum Geology, Allen & Unwin
Diagenesis Summary
Well Logs
Well logs are useful to identify
layering and, therefore,
differences in reservoir quality.
Skilled interpreters can relate
typical log shapes to depositional
sequences, as shown on the
right. The logs shown are a
gamma ray log on the left and a
resistivity log on the right.
Sedimentological Models
Conceptual depositional models are important in helping to relate well data to a 3-D
reservoir model. Shown here are four stages in the formation of a bird-foot delta,
such as the Mississippi delta, where rivers dominate sediment distribution.
Petroleum Geology AES/TA 3820
Simple cross-sections of sedimentary bodies can be used to construct vertical sequences that
would be expected in a well. These type logs can then be used to predict the lateral extents
of the various layers, and to help in identifying depositional environments.
Example of 3-D
Sedimentary Bodies
This example shows a simple 3-D
reconstruction. The well data
(below) suggest that a barrier bar
deposit is overlain by a channel
deposit. Directional information,
such as obtained from dipmeters
or borehole images, help orient
the sand bodies in a qualitative
way in three dimensions. The
resulting local model is shown at
the top.
Source: Selley R.C. (1997) Elements of Petroleum Geology,
2nd edition, Academic Press
Reservoir Connectivity
Source: Selley R.C. (1997) Elements of Petroleum Geology, 2nd edition, Academic Press
Depositional Systems
through Time
As depositional system evolve
through time, they shift in space.
Lateral shifting is called accretion,
while vertical stacking is called
aggradation.
These shifts are controlled by the
relative rates of deposition and
subsidence. Shown here is a simple
deltaic system with three different
relationships of these rates.
Source: North, F.K. (1985) Petroleum Geology, Allen & Unwin
BarSim
BarSim
QuickTime and a
Cinepak decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
The carbonate ramp model (above) and the differentiated shelf model (below) apply to
many carbonate reservoir provinces. With a source rock in the deeper waters, any of the
various facies shown can become a productive reservoir rock under the right conditions.
Berry Islands,
Bahamas,
a large3820
differentiated carbonate platform
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Influence of
Pore Types on k/
Crystalline dolomite
m = 1.95, = 47%, k = 3160 mD
Carbonate Diagenesis
This slide shows some important
early diagenetic processes.
a,b: submarine cements;
c,d: inter- and supratidal
cements;
e,f: continental diagenesis with
dissolution and recrystallization
of calcite and aragonite grains,
as well as calcite cementation.
Drawings from petrographic thin
sections a few mm wide by
Purser, 1978.
Source: North, F.K. (1985) Petroleum Geology, Allen & Unwin
Large-Scale Dissolution
These large-scale dissolution
features are called karst and
are caused by meteoric
water. The dissolution
generally follows preexisting
cracks or other weaknesses.
The large-scale porosity thus
formed is very difficult to
evaluate from wells.
Fields in Turkey, among
others, are known to produce
from such porosity.
Fractured Reservoirs
Fractures are essential in creating permeable paths in tight carbonate rocks like the Asmari
limestone. They can create high permeabilities but low porosities. If the matrix porosity is
sufficient, such dual porosity systems can be very good, sustained producers.
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